OnePlus 5

The OnePlus 5 is no longer officially sold by OnePlus or major retailers in Qatar. However, you may still find it through third-party sellers or in the used market. When it was initially released, the OnePlus 5 was available in two variants:

• 6GB RAM / 64GB storage: Originally priced around 1,900 QAR
• 8GB RAM / 128GB storage: Originally priced around 2,100 QAR

Keep in mind that these prices are historical, and if you do find a OnePlus 5 for sale now, it will likely be at a significantly reduced price due to its age.

OnePlus 5 Specifications

Release Date and Availability

The OnePlus 5 was officially announced on June 20, 2017, and became available for purchase shortly after. It was released globally, including in Qatar, where it gained popularity among tech enthusiasts looking for high-end specifications at a more affordable price point compared to other flagship devices.

In Qatar, the OnePlus 5 was initially available through online retailers and select physical stores. However, the device is no longer officially sold by OnePlus or major retailers in the country. This is because OnePlus has since released several newer models, and the OnePlus 5 has reached the end of its production and support lifecycle.

Design and Build Quality

The OnePlus 5 features a sleek and premium design that was quite impressive for its time. With a slim profile of just 7.25mm and a weight of 153 grams, it feels comfortable in hand. The device sports an aluminum unibody construction, giving it a solid and premium feel.

On the front, you’ll find the 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED display with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The front-mounted fingerprint sensor doubles as a home button, flanked by capacitive navigation keys. The power button is on the right side, while the volume rocker and the signature OnePlus alert slider are on the left.

The dual-camera setup on the back is slightly raised, but not enough to cause significant wobble when placed on a flat surface. The antenna lines are discreetly integrated into the top and bottom edges of the phone, contributing to its sleek appearance.

Display

The OnePlus 5 features a 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD). While this may seem outdated compared to the Quad HD and higher resolutions found in newer flagships, it still offers a sharp and vibrant viewing experience with a pixel density of about 401 PPI.

The AMOLED technology ensures deep blacks and vivid colors, making it great for multimedia consumption. The display also supports DCI-P3 color gamut, offering more accurate color reproduction. While it doesn’t have the high refresh rates of newer models, the OnePlus 5’s display is still perfectly capable for everyday use and gaming.

Performance

At the heart of the OnePlus 5 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, which was the flagship chipset of its time. Paired with either 6GB or 8GB of RAM, the OnePlus 5 still offers smooth performance for most tasks in 2024.

The device can handle multitasking, web browsing, and even moderate gaming without significant lag. However, it may struggle with the most demanding games and applications released in recent years.

One of the standout features of OnePlus devices is their clean and optimized OxygenOS, which contributes to the smooth user experience. While the OnePlus 5 originally shipped with Android 7.1.1 Nougat, it received updates up to Android 10, which brings many modern features and improvements.

Camera

The OnePlus 5 was one of the first OnePlus devices to feature a dual-camera setup. It combines a 16MP main sensor with an f/1.7 aperture and a 20MP telephoto lens with an f/2.6 aperture. This setup allows for 1.6x optical zoom and a portrait mode with background blur.

In good lighting conditions, the OnePlus 5 can still take impressive photos with good detail and color accuracy. The portrait mode, while not as advanced as newer implementations, can produce pleasing results with subject separation and background blur.

Low-light performance is where the camera shows its age. While it can capture usable shots, it struggles with noise and detail preservation compared to more recent smartphone cameras.

The 16MP front-facing camera is capable of taking decent selfies, especially in well-lit environments. It also supports a screen flash feature for low-light selfies.

Battery Life and Charging

The OnePlus 5 is equipped with a 3300mAh battery, which may seem small by today’s standards but was typical for its time. With moderate use, it can still last through a full day, though heavy users might need to recharge before the day’s end.

One of the highlights of the OnePlus 5 is its Dash Charge technology (now known as Warp Charge in newer models). This fast-charging solution can replenish the battery from 0 to 60% in just 30 minutes, which is still impressive even by today’s standards.

However, the OnePlus 5 lacks wireless charging, a feature that has become common in many flagship and mid-range devices in recent years.

Software and Updates

The OnePlus 5 originally launched with OxygenOS based on Android 7.1.1 Nougat. Over its lifespan, it received several major Android updates, with the final official update bringing it to Android 10.

While it no longer receives official updates from OnePlus, the device has a strong community following. Enthusiasts can find custom ROMs that bring newer Android versions to the OnePlus 5, extending its software lifespan.OxygenOS, even in its older versions, offers a clean, near-stock Android experience with useful additions. Features like Reading Mode, Gaming Mode, and customizable gestures enhance the user experience.

Connectivity and Other Features

The OnePlus 5 supports 4G LTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC, and GPS. It also retains the 3.5mm headphone jack, which has become increasingly rare in newer smartphones.

The device features a front-mounted fingerprint sensor, which is fast and reliable. It also supports face unlock, though it’s not as secure as the fingerprint sensor.

One unique feature of OnePlus devices is the alert slider, which allows you to quickly switch between silent, vibrate, and ring modes without unlocking the phone.

OnePlus 5 vs OnePlus 5T

The OnePlus 5T, released just a few months after the OnePlus 5, brought some significant changes:

• Larger 6.01-inch display with 18:9 aspect ratio and minimal bezels
• Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor
• Improved secondary camera (20MP f/1.7 instead of telephoto)
• Face Unlock feature

While these changes made the 5T more modern-looking, the core specifications remained largely the same. The OnePlus 5 still holds up well in terms of performance and features.

OnePlus 5 vs OnePlus 6

The OnePlus 6, released in 2018, brought more substantial upgrades:

• Newer Snapdragon 845 processor
• Larger 6.28-inch display with a notch
• Improved dual-camera system with OIS
• Glass back design with optional wireless charging
• Water resistance (although not IP certified)

The OnePlus 6 represents a more significant leap in terms of design and performance. However, the OnePlus 5 can still hold its own for basic tasks and moderate usage.

Comparison with Other Brands in the Same Price Range

When the OnePlus 5 was released, it competed with other flagship devices at a lower price point. Let’s compare it to some devices that were in a similar price range at the time:

OnePlus 5 vs Samsung Galaxy S8

The Samsung Galaxy S8, released in the same year, offered:

• A more premium design with curved “Infinity Display”
• Higher resolution Quad HD+ display
• IP68 water and dust resistance
• Wireless charging
• Expandable storage

While the Galaxy S8 had some advantages in design and features, the OnePlus 5 matched or exceeded it in terms of RAM and clean software experience.

OnePlus 5 vs LG G6

The LG G6, another 2017 flagship, featured:

• A similar dual-camera setup with wide-angle lens
• IP68 water and dust resistance
• Wireless charging
• Quad DAC for superior audio quality

The OnePlus 5 countered with a more powerful processor and more RAM options, as well as faster charging.

OnePlus 5 vs Xiaomi Mi 6

The Xiaomi Mi 6, a popular choice in the same price range, offered:

• Similar Snapdragon 835 processor
• Comparable dual-camera setup
• Slightly smaller 5.15-inch display
• No headphone jack

The OnePlus 5 distinguished itself with its larger display, headphone jack, and cleaner software experience with OxygenOS.

Is the OnePlus 5 Still Worth Buying?

The OnePlus 5 is now a 7-year-old device. While it was an excellent smartphone in its time, technology has advanced significantly since its release. Here are some factors to consider:

Pros

1. Affordable price: If you can find a used or refurbished OnePlus 5, it will likely be very affordable.
2. Decent performance for basic tasks: The Snapdragon 835 and 6/8GB RAM are still capable of handling everyday tasks smoothly.
3. Headphone jack: If you prefer wired headphones, the OnePlus 5 still offers this increasingly rare feature.
4. Compact size: In an era of large phones, the OnePlus 5’s 5.5-inch display might appeal to those who prefer smaller devices.
5. Community support: There’s still a dedicated community creating custom ROMs, potentially extending the device’s software lifespan.

Cons

1. Outdated design: The large bezels and 16:9 aspect ratio feel outdated compared to modern smartphones.
2. No official software updates: The device no longer receives official updates from OnePlus, which could pose security risks.
3. Aging battery: Used devices may have significantly degraded battery life.
4. No 5G support: As 5G networks become more prevalent, the OnePlus 5 won’t be able to take advantage of faster data speeds.
5. Inferior camera: While still capable, the camera system is far behind what’s offered in modern smartphones.
6. Lack of modern features: The OnePlus 5 misses out on features like wireless charging, water resistance, and high refresh rate displays.